Bruno Munari's Zoo

by Bruno Munari

Bruno Munari was an internationally acclaimed artist, designer, and children's book creator. A contemporary of Leo Leonni, his books have been hailed as "among the most original, inventive and beautiful ever created." Zoo is among his most graphically stunning works. Meet the kangaroo, who is all legs but doesn't know it, the zebra in his striped pajamas, and the humpy camel, who has a seat for you. Young readers will enjoy Munari's bright, bold illustrations; older readers will appreciate his wry humor. From children to collectors, Bruno Munari's Zoo is certain to enchant a whole new generation.

"Graphic designer Bruno Munari is one of the most inventive picture book creators I know. I have been inspired, entertained, and in awe of his work since I was a graphic design student in Germany more than 50 years ago. And Zoo has been one of my favorites. I am delighted that it is available once again for a new generation of picture book readers of all ages." -- Eric Carle

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Art, Fiction, Design

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Bruno Munari was an Italian artist and designer, who contributed fundamentals in many fields of visual arts (paint, sculpture, film, industrial design, graphics) and non visual arts (literature, poetry, didactic) with the research on the game subject, infancy and creativity.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't feed the animals: don't give the birds to the fox, the fox to the lion, the parrot to the tiger. Don't annoy the butterflies. Leave the signs where they are. The lion will be offended if you pull his tail. It is forbidden to sit on the tortoises or to play with the bears. Applaud the seals.

All of the creatures in this book seem to have escaped through that hole in the fence, as there is not a pen or enclosure in sight. Munari presents a humorous look at the animal kingdom. A most enjoyable book, with colorful artwork.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and elegant illustrations leave a lasting impression in Bruno Munari's Zoo.

[Cristina Di Matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un bestiario ironico e leggero, dove gli animali vengono raccontati con semplicità e sguardo giocoso. Munari trasforma lo zoo in un luogo di creatività, dove l’osservazione diventa divertimento e la curiosità apre nuove prospettive. Un classico che unisce arte, design e infanzia con grazia inconfondibile.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetic, often humorous look at a zoo. Definitely will provoke kids to ask questions and learn some about the different animals that live in the zoo.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3* art
2* text
Very odd text - possibly exactly what gives the book its charm. Nice, big illustrations.

[Jimmy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adult's book for children, not a child's book. It's capricious, modern, and totally fun - but there's absolutely no guarantee a child will enjoy it, and my rating is based on my view for ME. If you think the child in your life might like it, I suggest buying it for yourself and paving the way first.

The text is both whimsical and nonsensical. I too, think if bears played baseball, polar bears would be the umpires (the grizzly bears' humps would get in the way of the chest protector) - but I'm afraid that's a concept that might escape many small children. If rhinos always were looking for a fight, as Munari says, I'm sure they would prefer barbed wire to any form of protection - but some might interpret that picture as downright odd, at best, too violent at worst.

Bruno Munari's work has been exhibited in museums in Tokyo, Milan, Paris, Brazil, and the U.S., and he taught at universities in Europe and America. He received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Children's Book Illustration in 1974. This 1963 book is illustrated in a modern fashion, with animals in big bold shapes and minimal colors. Every illustration (but that for the polar bears) - even the grumpy rhinos - includes the blue and green butterflies that appear in so many of his books for children.

I can pictures stacks of these books at the museum gift store in the 1960s, with loving aunts and grandmothers lining up to purchase them for their nieces, nephews, and grandchildren....only to see the book end up at bottom of little Jimmy's stack of picture books because of its large size (9" x 12"). Or disliked by little Kathy because of its odd pictures. Adult children will love it because it is odd, and artists will love it for itself.

[Diane Madlon-Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Amanda Schwind · Rating 2 out of 5]

These illustrations are glorious, but the storyline left much to be desired.

[Deidra Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for the little one. She loved spotting the butterflies.

[Starbubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly, i didn't

[Zain Rahman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in moncler store

[Regine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colorful, with some fun moments.

[Bookiddo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoo is a book of observations and illustrations. Somewhere between poetry and prose, the quick words read like a zoo go-er’s jotted notes as he/she passes through some of the more popular exhibits.

As one might reasonably expect from a graphic designer turned children’s illustrator, the pictures in this book are lovely and unique. Bright colors, bold outlines, and a simple eye to detail (can you find all the butterflies?) make them both visually interesting and inviting. Words will alsways be the most important part of a story to me, though, and I don't love it here. The phrases are mostly staccato, almost haiku-like in some places. Some are fun, like the rhinos going to war, and some are beautiful, like the flamingos playing at symmetry, but for the most part, the language is a bit stilted, and it can take a few reads to find your own groove.

That said, this is currently my daughter's favorite book.

[Alyssa Durant]

I read Bruno Munari's Zoo. This book has very short sentences and the pictures are very simple, but colorful. Some of the pages have real simple facts on them like "The tiger is a big cat with stripes" and others are kind of silly like " The parrot was born on a day with a rainbow"

I'm not sure if I would read this book out loud to my students, mostly because if I were to read them a book about the Zoo it would probably be right before a field trip and I would want to give them some fun and serious facts about the animals they would be seeing, but I would not mind having this book in my personal classroom library just because the pictures are fun and most of the pages are pretty silly.

[Mikayla Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book began with a sign about the zoo. It then goes on to tell about the different animals of the zoo. Also it will tell you different things about that animal.

I thought this book was okay. I really liked the illustrations of the animals. They were bright and fun.

This book would be good to read if you took your class to a zoo or if you were talking about animals. They have pictures of all the animals it talks about. This would be good for younger kids.

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Munari's picture books are know for great design, but the playful text is just as striking to me. The notice put up at the zoo entrance suggests, "Applaud the seals." and warns, "The lion will be offended if you pull his tail."

The pages that follow introduce animals with wonderful quips such as, "A zebra is an animal in striped pajamas." or "The fox hides when he sees the furrier."

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molto belle le immagini, che a volte giocano a creare dei legami tra paesaggio e animale (es le tartarughe montagne o il riccio e l'erba). Non so come i ragazzi accoglierebbero i testi, brevi e surreali. Gli animali sono rappresentati a volte chiaramente in uno zoo (leone dietro le sbarre) a volte no, come le tartarughe.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This random account of different animals in the and his descriptive observations of various aspects of their lives and character. The illustrations are the best part of this bold book that sheds light on animals big and small.

[Jennifer Parker · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't like the way the book was written. It doesn't do much to describe the animals and when it does describe an animal it is basics. Possibly if you are just introducing your child to an animal this would have been a good book to use.

[Sushma Sharanya Somasundaram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for my toddler and she liked it a lot. She was so done with the board books and this one introduced her to more animals other than the usual ones. Those big illustrations are definitely a plus.

[Shyam Rahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations. Book a bit over the head of our preschooler.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't feel like the sensibility of the text holds up as well, but I have to give it four stars because I think the pictures are amazing. Very fun, mid-century style.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle, quiet book from a different era; I'm glad it was put back in print.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fluctuated between mundane and poetic, but there are great illustrations.

[Kelly]

2/1/11 preschool
11/10/10 preschool

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool and very colorful. I want to go to the zoo.

[Melissa Elgersma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite zoo books. Adults and kids alike will really appreciate the beautiful illustrations- Munari is a master.

[aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked it because of the illustrations but the text didn't do much for me.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure I'd be able to get through this book with 2 yr olds, but they liked the illustrations and at the end, we just walked through a zoo! Good for discussion about the details of illustrations.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! i want to frame some of these. except its a library book. my 5 year old liked it and my 2 year old did NOT = 3 stars